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Title: Methanobactin from methanotrophs: genetics, structure, function and potential applications

Journal Article · · FEMS Microbiology Letters (Online)
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [1]
  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 48109-2125
  2. Roy J. Carver Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA 50011

Aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria of the Alphaproteobacteria have been found to express a novel ribosomally synthesized post-translationally modified polypeptide (RiPP) termed methanobactin (MB). The primary function of MB in these microbes appears to be for copper uptake, but MB has been shown to have multiple capabilities, including oxidase, superoxide dismutase and hydrogen peroxide reductase activities, the ability to detoxify mercury species, as well as acting as an antimicrobial agent. Herein, we describe the diversity of known MBs as well as the genetics underlying MB biosynthesis. We further propose based on bioinformatics analyses that some methanotrophs may produce novel forms of MB that have yet to be characterized. We also discuss recent findings documenting that MBs play an important role in controlling copper availability to the broader microbial community, and as a result can strongly affect the activity of microbes that require copper for important enzymatic transformations, e.g. conversion of nitrous oxide to dinitrogen. Lastly, we describe procedures for the detection/purification of MB, as well as potential medical and industrial applications of this intriguing RiPP.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0018059; SC0020174; 1724744; 1912482
OSTI ID:
1615161
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1691490
Journal Information:
FEMS Microbiology Letters (Online), Journal Name: FEMS Microbiology Letters (Online) Vol. 367 Journal Issue: 5; ISSN 1574-6968
Publisher:
Federation of European Microbiological SocietiesCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Netherlands
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 17 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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